Touch panel

Abstract

To add a switch that provides click feeling without changing a circuit of a conventional touch panel.SOLUTION: A touch panel 100 comprises: an upper substrate 10 having an upper conductive film 11 in an operation region 101, a decorative region 102, and a switch region 103; a lower substrate 16 having a lower conductive film 15 arranged opposite the upper conductive film in the operation region, the decorative region, and the switch region; a spacer 13 provided between the upper conductive film and the lower conductive film in the decorative region; an insulation layer 14 formed on the lower conductive film in the decorative region; and a conductive buckling deformable body 20 arranged in a space surrounded by the spacer, the upper conductive film, and the lower conductive film in the switch region. When the switch region is being pressed, the upper conductive film is electrically connected to the lower conductive film via the buckling deformable body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a touch panel. [Background technology]

[0002] A composite switch sheet is known in which an insulating substrate and an insulating resin film are arranged opposite each other, and transparent electrodes and contact electrodes are aligned on the inner surfaces of the insulating substrate and the inner surfaces of the insulating resin film to form a resistive film type touch panel switch and a contact switch. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-23955 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventional composite switch sheets have separate wiring for the touch panel and the switch that provides the click sensation, and require processing such as etching the resistive film to form electrodes. Also, a circuit that detects the on / off status of the switch that provides the click sensation must be added separately from the touch panel.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to add a switch that provides a clicking sensation without modifying the circuitry of a conventional touch panel. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the touch panel disclosed in the specification has an operation area that accepts an operation input, a non-operation area that does not accept the operation input, and a switch area that is provided in the non-operation area and accepts a switch input, the touch panel comprising: a first substrate having a first conductive film in the operation area, the non-operation area, and the switch area; a second substrate having a second conductive film that is arranged opposite to the first conductive film in the operation area, the non-operation area, and the switch area; a spacer that is provided in the non-operation area between the first conductive film and the second conductive film so as to surround the switch area; an insulating layer that is formed on the second conductive film in the non-operation area; and a buckling deformation body that is arranged in a space surrounded by the spacer, the first conductive film, and the second conductive film in the switch area and has conductivity, and is characterized in that the first conductive film is electrically connected to the second conductive film via the buckling deformation body while the switch area is pressed. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, a switch that provides a clicking sensation can be added without modifying the circuitry of a conventional touch panel. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a touch panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1A is a diagram showing the configuration of a lower substrate of a touch panel, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing the configuration of an upper substrate of a touch panel. [Diagram 3] 2A is a cross-sectional view of the touch panel taken along line AA in FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B is a diagram showing the positional relationship of a lower conductive film, a buckling deformation body, and an insulating film as viewed from above. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the structure of a touch panel. [Diagram 5](A) is a plan view of the buckled body, (B) is a cross-sectional view of the buckled body before buckling, (C) is a cross-sectional view of the buckled body during buckling, (D) is a plan view of the deformed shape of the buckled body, and (E) is a cross-sectional view of the deformed shape of the buckled body before buckling. [Figure 6] 2 is a cross-sectional view of a modified example of the touch panel taken along line AA in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] (First embodiment) FIG. 1 is a plan view of a touch panel according to the present embodiment.

[0011] The touch panel 100 according to the present embodiment is a resistive touch panel. The touch panel 100 is a four-wire touch panel, but may be a five-wire or seven-wire touch panel. As shown in Fig. 1, the touch panel 100 includes a transparent operation area 101 in the center, an opaque decorative area 102 on the outer periphery of the operation area 101, and a switch area 103 in a part of the decorative area 102. Although two switch areas 103 are shown in Fig. 1, the number of switch areas 103 is not limited and may be one or more than two.

[0012] The operation area 101 is an area that accepts input operations using a finger, a pen, etc. The decorative area 102 is formed in a non-operation area that does not accept input operations using a finger, a pen, etc., and is an area for hiding electrodes, wiring, spacers, etc. from the view of an operator. The switch area 103 is an area that accepts pressing operations using a finger, etc. The touch panel 100 is mounted on a mobile phone, a tablet terminal, a kiosk terminal, a ticket machine, etc. The touch panel 100 is mounted on top of the surface of a display device (e.g., a monitor) not shown, and an operator can view the screen of the display device through the transparent operation area 101.

[0013] Fig. 2(A) is a diagram showing the configuration of the lower substrate of the touch panel, and Fig. 2(B) is a diagram showing the configuration of the upper substrate of the touch panel. In Fig. 2(A) and Fig. 2(B), the positions of the operation area 101 and the switch area 103 are indicated by dashed lines.

[0014] The touch panel 100 includes a lower substrate 16 and an upper substrate 10. The lower substrate 16 is provided with a pair of lower electrodes 51 extending in the X direction. The pair of lower electrodes 51 are provided to sandwich the operation region 101 and the switch region 103 in the Y direction. The upper substrate 10 is provided with a pair of upper electrodes 50 extending in the Y direction. The pair of upper electrodes 50 are provided to sandwich the operation region 101 and the switch region 103 in the X direction. The upper electrodes 50 and the lower electrodes 51 are made of, for example, silver paste, and are formed on the lower substrate 16 and the upper substrate 10 by inkjet printing or silk printing, etc., respectively.

[0015] In the touch panel 100, the coordinates of the pressed position can be detected by detecting a voltage corresponding to the pressed position in the operation area 101 and the switch area 103 using the upper electrode 50 and the lower electrode 51. For example, when a voltage is applied in the +Y direction between a pair of lower electrodes 51 as shown in Fig. 2(A), the Y coordinate of the pressed position can be detected by detecting the voltage at the time of pressing using at least one of the upper electrodes 50 as a probe. Next, when a voltage is applied in the +X direction between a pair of upper electrodes 50 as shown in Fig. 2(B), the X coordinate of the pressed position can be detected by detecting the voltage at the time of pressing using at least one of the lower electrodes 51 as a probe.

[0016] For this reason, electrodes for detecting a pressed position in the operation area 101 and electrodes for detecting a pressed position in the switch area 103 are not provided separately. In other words, the upper electrode 50 and the lower electrode 51 are shared for detecting pressed positions in the operation area 101 and the switch area 103. Note that although the wiring connected to the upper electrode 50 and the lower electrode 51 is omitted in Figures 2(A) and 2(B), the wiring connected to the upper electrode 50 and the lower electrode 51 can be connected to a D / A converter (not shown) for applying a voltage and a processor (not shown) for detecting coordinates.

[0017] Fig. 3(A) is a cross-sectional view of the touch panel taken along line AA in Fig. 1. Fig. 3(B) is a diagram showing the relative positions of the lower conductive film, the buckling body, and the insulating film as viewed from above. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the structure of a touch panel. Fig. 5(A) is a plan view of the buckling body, Fig. 5(B) is a cross-sectional view of the buckling body before buckling deformation, and Fig. 5(C) is a cross-sectional view of the buckling body during buckling deformation. Fig. 5(D) is a plan view of a modified buckling body, and Fig. 5(E) is a cross-sectional view of the modified buckling body before buckling deformation.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 3A, the touch panel 100 includes, from the top, an upper substrate 10, an upper conductive film 11, an upper electrode 50, a decorative layer 12, a spacer 13, an insulating layer 14, a lower conductive film 15, and a lower substrate 16. The decorative layer 12 is formed in a wider area than the spacer 13 so that the spacer 13 is not visible when viewed from above. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 4, the touch panel 100 includes a buckling deformation body 20 in a space 30 that overlaps the switch region 103 and the decorative region 102 between the upper substrate 10 and the lower substrate 16 in the vertical direction (Z direction) and is surrounded by the spacer 13, the upper conductive film 11, and the lower conductive film 15. Air is filled in a space 40 between the upper conductive film 11 and the lower conductive film 15 where the decorative layer 12, the spacer 13, the insulating layer 14, and the buckling deformation body 20 are not arranged.

[0019] The upper substrate 10 is made of, for example, a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) film. The upper conductive film 11 is formed under the upper substrate 10 by, for example, sputtering. The upper conductive film 11 is made of indium tin oxide (ITO) or the like.

[0020] A decorative layer 12 is formed under the upper conductive film 11 in a region vertically overlapping with the decorative region 102. The regions of the decorative layer 12 vertically overlapping with the operation region 101 and the switch region 103 are removed by etching or the like. The decorative layer 12 is made of a conductive material containing a light-blocking material, for example, a carbon-based black ink. The color of the carbon-based ink is not limited to black. The decorative layer 12 is formed by inkjet printing, silk printing, or the like. The decorative layer 12 is formed so as to cover the upper electrode 50.

[0021] The lower substrate 16 is made of glass or the like, and the lower conductive film 15 is made of indium tin oxide (ITO) or the like. The lower conductive film 15 is formed on the lower substrate 16 by, for example, sputtering. An insulating layer 14 is formed on the lower conductive film 15 in an area that vertically overlaps with the decorative region 102. Areas of the insulating layer 14 that vertically overlap with the operation region 101 and the switch region 103 are removed by etching or the like.

[0022] A spacer 13 is formed between the decorative layer 12 and the insulating layer 14. The spacer 13 is an insulating adhesive such as acrylic or epoxy, but may also be, for example, a PET film with double-sided tape attached to the upper and lower surfaces. The spacer 13 also electrically insulates the decorative layer 12 from the insulating layer 14.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 3(A), the width W2 of the spacer 13 in the Y direction is smaller than the width W1 of the decorative layer 12 and the insulating layer 14 in the Y direction. Similarly, the width of the spacer 13 in the X direction is also smaller than the widths of the decorative layer 12 and the insulating layer 14 in the X direction. In particular, the width of the spacer 13 surrounding the switch region 103 is smaller than the widths of the decorative layer 12 and the insulating layer 14 in the Y direction. This is because the outer edge (leg) of the buckling deformation body 20 is disposed between the decorative layer 12 and the insulating layer 14 as shown in Fig. 3(A).

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the outer edge (leg) of the buckling body 20 is disposed on the insulating layer 14. However, the insulating layer 14 located directly below the buckling body 20 is removed by etching or the like, so that the buckling body 20 faces the lower conductive film 15. Note that FIG. 3B shows the lower conductive film 15 located below the buckling body 20 in a transparent manner. When the upper substrate 10 of the switch region 103 is pressed, the buckling body 20 buckles and contacts the lower conductive film 15, so that the upper conductive film 11 is electrically connected to the lower conductive film 15 via the buckling body 20. This allows a processor (not shown) connected to the touch panel 100 to detect a voltage corresponding to the pressed position in the switch region 103.

[0025] The buckling deformation body 20 is a disc spring having electrical conductivity, for example, a metal disc spring or a disc spring made of rubber containing a conductive material. As shown in Fig. 5(A), the shape of the buckling deformation body 20 seen from above is an ellipse. The shape of the buckling deformation body 20 seen from above is not limited to this, and may be a rectangle, a polygon, or a circle.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 5(B), the cross section of the buckling body 20 before buckling deformation is dome-shaped. The buckling body 20 has a curved portion 21 that protrudes upward and a leg portion 22 that is integrally formed with the curved portion 21 and extends downward. The uppermost portion 20A of the buckling body 20 is the apex of the curved portion 21, and the lowermost portion 20B of the buckling body 20 is the lower end of the leg portion 22. In a plan view, the apex of the curved portion 21 may be a vertex or a flat surface. As shown in FIG. 5(C), the lowermost portion of the buckling body 20 when the curved portion 21 protrudes downward due to buckling deformation is the lowest point 20A1 of the curved portion 21.

[0027] The legs 22 of the buckling deformation body 20 are disposed on the insulating layer 14, but are not fixed to the insulating layer 14 with an adhesive or the like. This is because if the legs 22 of the buckling deformation body 20 were fixed with an adhesive or the like, the air inside the space surrounded by the buckling deformation body 20, the insulating layer 14, and the lower conductive film 15 would be sealed, and the buckling deformation body 20 may not deform to sufficiently protrude downward even when the switch region 103 is pressed. For this reason, the buckling deformation body 20 is not fixed with an adhesive or the like, and is confined in the space 30 surrounded by the spacer 13, the upper conductive film 11, and the lower conductive film 15.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 5(C), the buckling body 20 undergoes buckling deformation, and is deformed such that the curved portion 21 protrudes downward when the switch region 103 is pressed. At this time, the buckling body 20 is deformed such that the lowest point 20A1 of the curved portion 21 is located lower than the lowest portion 20B (lower end) of the leg portion 22. The vertical distance D1 between the lowest point 20A1 of the curved portion 21 and the lowest portion 20B of the leg portion 22 in Fig. 5(C) is greater than the thickness of the insulating layer 14. This allows the lowest point 20A1 of the curved portion 21 to come into contact with the lower conductive film 15 located below the insulating layer 14 that has been removed by etching or the like.

[0029] Before the switch region 103 is pressed, the curved portion 21 of the buckling deformation body 20 protrudes upward (FIG. 5(B)), and at any point during pressing, starts buckling deformation, and protrudes downward while the switch region 103 is pressed (FIG. 5(C)). Then, when pressing of the switch region 103 is stopped, that is, when the load on the curved portion 21 is removed, the curved portion 21 of the buckling deformation body 20 returns to the shape protruding upward (FIG. 5(B)).

[0030] As shown in Fig. 5(E), the bottom portion 20B of the buckling deformation body 20 may have a flat portion 20C having a width W3 larger than the thickness T1 of the leg portion 22. This can improve the stability of the buckling deformation body 20. The shape of the buckling deformation body 20 having the flat portion 20C viewed from above is, for example, a polygon as shown in Fig. 5(D). The shape of the buckling deformation body 20 having the flat portion 20C is not limited to this.

[0031] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a modified example of the touch panel taken along line AA in Fig. 1. The touch panel 100A in Fig. 6 differs from the touch panel 100 in Fig. 3(A) in that the decorative layer 12 that overlaps the switch area 103 in the vertical direction has not been removed. The rest of the configuration is the same as that of the touch panel 100 in Fig. 3(A), and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0032] Since the decorative layer 12 is made of a conductive material, when the switch area 103 is pressed, the upper conductive film 11 is electrically connected to the lower conductive film 15 via the decorative layer 12 and the buckling deformation body 20. This allows a processor (not shown) connected to the touch panel 100A to detect a voltage corresponding to the pressed position in the switch area 103.

[0033] As described above, according to this embodiment, the touch panel 100 or 100A comprises an upper substrate 10 (first substrate) having an upper conductive film 11 (first conductive film) in the operation region 101, the decorative region 102, and the switch region 103, a lower substrate 16 (second substrate) having a lower conductive film 15 (second conductive film) arranged opposite the upper conductive film 11 in the operation region 101, the decorative region 102, and the switch region 103, a spacer 13 arranged between the upper conductive film 11 and the lower conductive film 15 in the decorative region 102 so as to surround the switch region 103, an insulating layer 14 formed on the lower conductive film 15 in the decorative region 102, and a buckling deformation body 20 having conductivity arranged in a space 30 surrounded by the spacer 13, the upper conductive film 11, and the lower conductive film 15 in the switch region 103. During pressing of the switch region 103, the buckling deformation body 20 buckles and deforms, and the upper conductive film 11 is electrically connected to the lower conductive film 15 via the buckling deformation body 20, so that a click feeling can be provided when a switch input is received. In addition, a switch that provides a click feeling can be added to the touch panel 100 or 100A without changing the circuit of a conventional touch panel. In the touch panel 100 or 100A, since it is not necessary to provide wiring or contact electrodes for a switch on the lower substrate, the number of parts can be reduced and the manufacturing cost can be suppressed. In addition, since it is not necessary to etch a part of the upper conductive film 11 and the lower conductive film 15 in the decorative region 102 between the operation region 101 and the switch region 103 in order to separate the operation region 101 and the switch region 103, the etching process can be reduced, and the number of steps in the manufacturing process can be reduced.

[0034] In addition, while the switch area 103 is pressed, the buckling deformation body 20 deforms so that the curved portion 21 protrudes downward and the lowest point 20A1 of the curved portion 21 is located lower than the lower end (lower portion 20B) of the leg portion 22, thereby ensuring electrical connection between the upper conductive film 11 and the lower conductive film 15.

[0035] Furthermore, since the vertical distance D1 between the lowest point 20A1 of the curved portion 21 and the lower end of the leg portion 22 when the curved portion 21 protrudes downward is greater than the thickness of the insulating layer 14, electrical connection between the upper conductive film 11 and the lower conductive film 15 can be reliably made.

[0036] Furthermore, the lower ends of the legs 22 are provided with flat portions 20C having a width W3 larger than the thickness T1 of the legs 22, thereby improving the stability of the buckling deformation body 20. Furthermore, the legs 22 are disposed on the insulating layer 14 and are not fixed to the insulating layer 14, so that the curved portions of the buckling deformation body can protrude sufficiently downward during buckling deformation.

[0037] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 10 Upper substrate, 11 Upper conductive film, 12 Decorative layer, 13 Spacer, 14 Insulating layer, 15 Lower conductive film, 16 Lower substrate, 20 Buckling deformation body, 20C Flat portion, 21 Curved portion, 22 Leg portion, 100, 100A Touch panel, 101 Operation area, 102 Decorative area, 103 Switch area

Claims

1. A touch panel having an operation area for receiving an operation input, a non-operation area for not receiving the operation input, and a switch area provided in the non-operation area for receiving a switch input, a first substrate having a first conductive film in the operation area, the non-operation area, and the switch area; a second substrate having a second conductive film disposed in the operation area, the non-operation area, and the switch area, the second substrate being opposed to the first conductive film; a spacer provided in the non-operation region between the first conductive film and the second conductive film so as to surround the switch region; an insulating layer formed on the second conductive film in the non-operating region; a buckling body having electrical conductivity, the buckling body being disposed in a space surrounded by the spacer, the first conductive film, and the second conductive film in the switch region; Equipped with The touch panel according to claim 1, wherein the first conductive film is electrically connected to the second conductive film via the buckling deformation body while the switch area is being pressed.

2. The buckling deformation body includes a curved portion protruding upward and a leg portion integrally formed with the curved portion and extending downward, The touch panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, during pressing of the switch area, the buckling deformation body deforms so that the curved portion protrudes downward and the lowest point of the curved portion is located lower than the lower end of the leg portion.

3. The touch panel according to claim 2 , wherein a vertical distance between a lowest point of the curved portion when the curved portion protrudes downward and a lower end of the leg portion is greater than a thickness of the insulating layer.

4. 4. The touch panel according to claim 2, wherein the lower ends of the legs are provided with flat portions having a width greater than a thickness of the legs.

5. 4. The touch panel according to claim 2, wherein the legs are disposed on the insulating layer and are not fixed to the insulating layer.

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